Professor Hongbo Zhang is a leading academic at Åbo Akademi University , affiliated with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering and the InFLAMES (Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System) flagship program. With over 227 publications and 21 active/completed projects since 2006, his research spans Functional Materials , Drug Delivery , and Clinical Translation . Research Interests: His work focuses on Engineering nanostructures for blood-brain barrier penetration Microfluidics-enabled biomedical devices Antimicrobial resistance solutions Cellulose-based sustainable materials Mitochondrial delivery systems Theranostic hydrogels Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2024) MDPI Pharmaceutics Young Investigator (2020) Chinese Orthopedic Association 1st Prize (2019) Best Oral Drug Formulation (Control Release Society, 2014) 10 Leading Chinese Talents in Europe (2023) Collaborative Network: Actively hosts international researchers and contributes to EU/Nordic-funded projects like NAP4DIVE and Printed Intelligence Infrastructure . His recent publications demonstrate expertise in nanomedicine, biocomposites, and lignin valorization.
Prof. Elisabeth Engel López leads the Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and serves as a Professor at the Technical University of Catalonia. With over 80 publications in JCR journals, her work focuses on designing biomaterials and scaffolds for in vitro/in vivo regenerative medicine, emphasizing cellular response mechanisms and translational applications. Developing lactate-releasing systems for metabolic modulation Advancing 3D bioprinting for tissue-specific models Engineering angiogenic and osteogenic biomaterials Her research bridges fundamental studies with industrial partnerships, including pharmaceutical and biomedical device companies, and contributes to European collaborative projects. She received the Barcelona City Award for technological research and has delivered numerous invited lectures. Her group explores substrate stiffness, ion release, and microenvironmental cues to control cell behavior in cardiac, neural, and bone regeneration contexts.
Professor Cathy Ye is an Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Centre for Tissue Engineering and Bioprocessing (OCTEB) . She is also a Fellow of Linacre College , with research focusing on Tissue Engineering , Biomaterials , and Bioreactor Design for regenerative applications. Her research spans in vitro cancer modeling , bone-cartilage interface development , and smart bioreactor systems for cell therapy. Current projects include SimCells for Cultured Meat under the Tissue Engineering group, supported by grants like the BBSRC award and EPSRC First Grant (EP/H021442/1). She teaches C10 Biosystem Modelling , C23/BME2 Tissue Engineering , and B17/BME1 Biomechanics while leading lab modules for the MSc in Biomedical Engineering. Her publications cover extracellular vesicle purification , antimicrobial biomaterials , and 3D tumor models , reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to biomedical engineering challenges.
Dr. Nandika Bandara serves as Associate Professor and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Food Proteins and Bioproducts at the University of Manitoba's Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences within the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Her research program focuses on advancing sustainable protein technologies for food, materials, and bioproduct applications through integration of material science and nanotechnology. Education: CFS (Certified Food Scientist), Institute of Food Technologists / International Food Science Certification Council PhD (Food Science & Bioresource Technology), University of Alberta, Canada MSc (Food Science & Technology), University of Alberta, Canada BSc (Agriculture), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Dr. Bandara's research explores protein and biopolymer-based nanostructures for bioactive delivery, sustainable protein extraction from Canadian crops and byproducts, and renewable biopolymers for food packaging and biomedical materials. Her lab investigates novel processing technologies' effects on protein structure-function relationships using advanced characterization techniques. Current projects include protein-lipid conjugation for nanodelivery systems, feather keratin-based wound-healing materials, and deep eutectic solvents for protein extraction. Her publication record demonstrates strong focus on plant protein valorization, nanodelivery systems, and functional materials. Key trends include development of electrospun nanofibers, protein-based packaging films reinforced with nanocellulose, and metabolomics approaches for bioactive compound analysis in Canadian berries. The research bridges fundamental protein chemistry with industrial applications in sustainable food systems. Awards and Honors: Outstanding Volunteer Service Award of the Food Chemistry Division at Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) - 2019/2020 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) Program finalist - 2019 Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship - 2018 Agricultural Institute of Canada Foundations' (AICF) Karl C Iverson Agricultural Scholarship - 2016 MITACS Accelerate Graduate Scholarship - 2015 Queen Elizabeth II Doctoral Graduate Scholarship - 2015 American Oil Chemist Society Honored Student Award - 2015 Graduate Student Teaching Award of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research/ Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta - 2015 Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Graduate Student Doctoral Scholarship Dr. Bandara actively supervises graduate students through the University of Manitoba's Food and Human Nutritional Sciences program and holds an adjunct professorship at Dalhousie University. She serves as Associate Editor for Food Chemistry Journal and on the editorial board of Food Research International. Her research is supported by her Canada Research Chair position and industry partnerships focused on Canadian agricultural innovation. She directs the Food Proteins and Bioproducts Lab at the Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research, which specializes in protein characterization, nanomaterial development, and sustainable extraction technologies. The lab collaborates with researchers across Canada and internationally to translate fundamental discoveries into industrial applications for food, packaging, and biomedical sectors.
Armando J. D. Silvestre is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro. He holds academic degrees including a Licenciatura in Chemistry (1990), PhD in Chemistry (1994), and Agregação in Chemistry (2008) from the University of Aveiro. His research focuses on renewable materials, circular economy, and functional biomaterials. Research interests include: Development of biopolymer-based functional materials Valorization of biological residues for value-added chemicals Novel polymeric materials from renewable resources Sustainable nanocomposites and coatings Professor Silvestre has supervised 18 MSc and 11 PhD students to completion and currently mentors 3 PhD and 3 MSc candidates. Research projects include EU-funded initiatives like AFORE (Forest Biorefineries) and national projects on membrane technology and biomass valorization. Scientific contributions include over 180 SCI journal publications and patents on extraction methods. He serves on editorial boards for Industrial Crops and Products and actively participates in academic activities including Erasmus coordination and Bologna process implementation.
Clarity Ropafadzo Mapengo is a Lecturer in Food Science & Technology at Teesside University's School of Health and Life Sciences. She holds a PhD in Food Science from the University of Pretoria (2020) and joined Teesside in 2022 after serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher there. Education: PhD in Food Science (University of Pretoria, 2018–2020) Her research focuses on climate-resilient food systems, natural polymer applications, and innovative processing technologies like high-pressure processing (HPP) and infrared drying. She integrates green chemistry principles into functional food development, particularly low-glycemic-index products and nano-therapies. Recent work explores HPP's impact on meat quality, solar/infrared drying of crops, and xylan-based prebiotics. Collaborations include FAO initiatives and University of Cairo projects on sustainable agrifood systems. Salzburg Global Fellow (2024-2025) Innovation Ambassador, Global Biotech Revolution (2024) World Food Forum Young Scientist Group Representative (2022) She leads the Food Chain & Composition module and contributes to Biologics & Health Product Development. Her enterprise interests emphasize food waste reduction and value-added agrifood solutions.
Anubhav Pratap-Singh is an Associate Professor in the Food, Nutrition and Health department within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, where he holds the Food and Beverage Innovation Professorship. He leads the UBC Food Process Engineering Laboratory and his research spans environmental and natural resources economics, food chemistry (including fermentation), and natural resource management. His primary research interests focus on agri-food transformation, cold plasma food engineering, food processing, functional foods, heat transfer, high pressure mass transfer, novel non-thermal processing, nutraceuticals, pasteurization, and pulsed light sterilization. Dr. Pratap-Singh's work addresses fundamental questions about the impact of food processing on food quality, how technology can maximize desirable effects while minimizing deleterious ones to feed the growing global population, and how to ensure food safety and nutrition for all socioeconomic groups. His research program is organized around three main pillars: developing novel processing technologies for food preservation, developing technologies for food fortification, and modeling the human GI tract to understand the interaction between food processing and human health. He has made significant contributions to sonic mixing technology for thermal processing and pulsed UV light processing for food surface decontamination, with particular expertise in processing of liquid particulate matter. Dr. Pratap-Singh has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Banting Fellowship (2016) and Green College Leading Scholar award (2017). His work has been recognized with the Young Entrepreneur Award (2009), IFTPS Graduate Scholar designation (2014), and Gold Medal from the Institute for Thermal Processing Specialists (2014), among other fellowships and honors. He is affiliated with the BioProducts Institute and Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute at UBC, and supervises graduate students in Food Science (MSc and PhD programs). His laboratory focuses on interdisciplinary research that addresses critical challenges in food science, with implications for feeding the projected 10 billion people by 2050 while countering negative public perceptions around processed foods.
James E. Smay is a Professor and Head of the Materials Science and Engineering department at Oklahoma State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University. Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Oklahoma State University Dr. Smay’s research focuses on colloidal assembly processes, particularly direct write manufacturing, to create novel devices. His work spans 3D printing of photonic band gap crystals , bone scaffolds , all-ceramic dental crowns , and metal-ceramic composites , leveraging colloidal gel inks with ceramic, metallic, and polymer particles in aqueous media. His publications highlight advancements in additive manufacturing , bioactive ceramics , rheological control of complex fluids , and sanitation engineering . Key trends include the application of direct printing to biomedical and photonic fields, alongside studies on emulsion stability and pathogen deactivation. The Smay lab is equipped for powder processing , advanced rheology , thermal treatment of ceramics/metals/polymers, and particle size/zeta potential measurements , supporting interdisciplinary research in sustainable manufacturing and biomedical materials.
Sara Pedron Haba is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. She holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University Carlos III Madrid and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Valencia. Her research focuses on developing biomaterial-based platforms to study brain physiology and neurological diseases, particularly glioblastoma. Key research areas include biomaterials for tissue engineering, tumor microenvironment modeling, and hyaluronic acid's role in cancer progression. Dr. Haba's work emphasizes creating microphysiological systems to bridge the gap between in vitro models and clinical applications. She has received notable awards, including the AACR NextGen Star (2021) and the Nature Publishing Award from the Society for Biomaterials (2016). Her lab collaborates widely, integrating expertise from chemical engineering, biomedical science, and oncology to advance therapeutic strategies for brain cancers. Education: PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University Carlos III Madrid (2004–2009) BS, Chemistry, University of Valencia (2001) Awards: NextGen Star, AACR (2021) Nature Publishing Award, Society for Biomaterials (2016) CPLC 10K Pilot Program (2014) Research Themes: Biomaterials for brain tumor modeling Extracellular matrix dynamics in glioblastoma Therapeutic efficacy assessment platforms Her lab's efforts aim to improve patient-specific therapies and understand tumor-stroma interactions through innovative biomaterial systems.
Professor Brigitte Voit leads the Macromolecular Chemistry division at the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden (IPF) and holds the chair for 'Organic Chemistry of Polymers' in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences / Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry at Technische Universität Dresden. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary collaborations with the Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Centre for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), and the Dresden International Graduate School for Biomedicine and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB) through the DRESDEN-concept initiative. Additionally, she serves as chairwoman of the Materialforschungsverbund Dresden (MFD). Academic Affiliation: Technische Universität Dresden Research Focus: Synthesis of multifunctional polymers, dendritic polymers, bioactive materials, responsive hydrogels, radical ring-opening polymerization Research Trends: Her recent publications highlight advancements in bioinspired polymer systems, including polymersome membranes for synthetic cells, light-driven enzymatic control, hierarchical biomimetic structures, and tunable hydrogels. These works reflect her expertise in integrating polymer chemistry with biomedicine and sustainable materials. Interdisciplinary Roles: Involvement in cfaed, CRTD, DIGS-BB, and DRESDEN-concept Leadership: Former Scientific Director at IPF (2002-2022), current department head Publications demonstrate her group's focus on responsive and bioactive polymer architectures, with applications in drug delivery, bioelectronics, and sustainable materials.
João Ferreira is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and a Researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF). He coordinates the ERASMUS+ program and previously led the MSc program in Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on biotechnological engineering applications in health and food sectors, including hydrocolloids, micro/nanoemulsions, and dairy technology. Education: PhD in Biological and Medical Sciences (1998). Research interests span bio/macromolecule interactions, controlled-release systems, and industrial process energetics. He leads projects like VIIAFOOD (food innovation) and BioShoes4All (bioeconomy). Recent publications emphasize hemodialysis applications of chitosan and fluid dynamics studies. His work bridges academic research with industrial collaboration.
Michelle Farkas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her work bridges chemical biology, synthetic chemistry, and cancer biology to develop molecular tools for studying circadian rhythms and macrophage phenotypes in oncology contexts. Affiliated with the Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology Faculty member at the Center for Bioactive Delivery and Models to Medicine within the Institute for Applied Life Sciences Research focuses on: Designing reporters and modulators for circadian rhythms in cancer models Engineering macrophages for anti-cancer polarization and targeted delivery Developing chemically modified cells and nanozymes for therapeutic/diagnostic applications Scientific contributions include chemical modulation of circadian clocks, bioorthogonal nanozyme systems, and novel cell-based delivery platforms. Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining synthetic chemistry with cancer immunology. DOD-BCRP Postdoctoral Fellow Current projects aim to translate molecular tools into clinical diagnostics and therapies, leveraging collaborations across chemistry, biology, and medicine.
Cecilia Persson is a Professor at Uppsala University in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Biomedical Engineering. She leads the BioMaterial Systems (BMS) research group within the Division of Biomedical Engineering, focusing on the development of new biomaterials through additive manufacturing. She also directs a Competence Centre in Additive Manufacturing for the Life Sciences and the national Research Technology Platform WISE Additive. 2018, Professor in Materials Science, Uppsala University 2015, Docent (Assoc. Prof.) in Engineering Science with Specialization in Materials Science, Uppsala University 2009, PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds 2004, MSc in Materials Engineering, European degree (EEIGM) with triple diploma Persson's research focuses on biomaterials, biomechanics, materials science, and additive manufacturing. Her work takes an integrated approach to solving clinical and sustainability problems, combining materials science, mechanical and biological engineering with new technologies like 3D printing and machine learning. Key research areas include magnesium-based alloys for bone substitutes, titanium-based alloys for permanent implants, and machine learning methods to enhance manufacturing efficiency. Analysis of her recent publications shows a strong emphasis on additive manufacturing of biomaterials, particularly magnesium and titanium alloys. Her work explores microstructure control, mechanical properties optimization, antibacterial properties, and patient-specific implant design. The research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward more sustainable, patient-adapted medical solutions using advanced manufacturing techniques. Persson has received funding from prestigious organizations including the Swedish Research Council (VR), the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW), the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF), Sweden's Innovation Agency (VINNOVA), and the EU. As an academic leader, Persson has served as Section Dean of Engineering (2020-2023), President of the Scandinavian Society of Biomaterials (2019-2023), and Coordinator of EU Innovative Training Network NU-SPINE (2019-2023). Her BioMaterial Systems research group takes an integrated approach to solving clinical and sustainability problems, bridging fundamental scientific mechanisms with high societal relevance.
Vincent Rotello is a University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He holds multiple affiliations including Faculty in the Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology, the Center for Bioactive Delivery, the Models to Medicine program, the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring, and the Materials Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program at the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. Dr. Rotello received his B.S. in Chemistry (Honors) from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1985, followed by an M. Phil and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Yale University in 1987 and 1990, respectively. He completed an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1990-1993 before joining the faculty at UMass Amherst. Professor Rotello's research focuses on supramolecular chemistry, particularly the study and application of non-covalent interactions including hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking. His work spans nanotechnology, bionanotechnology, bioorthogonal chemistry, drug delivery, and antimicrobial development. His laboratory explores how these molecular recognition concepts can address essential questions in biology, biomedicine, and material chemistry, with particular emphasis on using synthetic organic chemistry to engineer interfaces between synthetic and biological worlds. The group has published over 650 peer-reviewed papers to date. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward bioorthogonal catalysis, particularly 'nanozymes' and 'polyzymes' - nanomaterial scaffolds incorporating transition metal catalysts for localized drug and imaging agent generation. His research increasingly addresses biomedical applications including cancer treatment, bacterial infection control, and diagnostic development, with significant focus on antimicrobial applications and biofilm eradication. Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award (2023) Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate (2014, 2015, 2018-2023) Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) NSF CAREER award Cottrell Scholar award Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Sloan Fellowship Professor Rotello has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with recent PhD graduates including Dr. Aarohi Gupta and Dr. Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay. His research group maintains active collaborations across multiple disciplines and has secured significant funding for their work in nanotechnology and bionanotechnology. The group has published over 650 peer-reviewed papers, demonstrating consistent productivity and impact in their field. The Rotello Lab operates within the Lederle Graduate Research Tower at UMass Amherst, with office in room 379 and laboratory space in room 320. The group consists of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars from around the world, working collaboratively on projects spanning antimicrobials, bioorthogonal chemistry, drug delivery, and sensing technologies. The lab has documented numerous visiting scholars from institutions across Europe, Asia, and North America, indicating strong international collaborations.
Dr. Amir K. Miri is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and Director of the Advanced Biofabrication Lab. His work focuses on additive manufacturing for biomedical applications, particularly bioprinting technologies for tissue regeneration and disease modeling. After receiving his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University (2013) and completing postdoctoral training at the MIT-Harvard Division of Health Sciences and Technology, he began his academic career at Rowan University before joining NJIT. PhD, Mechanical Engineering, McGill University (2013) MSc, Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology (2007) BSc, Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (2005) Dr. Miri's research spans advanced bioprinting platforms, including multi-axial extrusion, handheld printers, and digital light projection systems. His work emphasizes the development of biomimetic models for cancer, vocal fold tissue, and vascular systems, with a particular focus on microfluidic integration and material optimization for bioprinting. He has pioneered low-cost prototyping solutions for resource-limited settings and explored the role of extracellular matrix mechanics in cellular behavior. Key trends in his publications include 3D bioprinting for tumor modeling, microfluidic device applications in drug screening, and the use of hydrogels like GelMA in cancer research. His group has also advanced acoustic metasurface technology for biomedical wave manipulation and investigated the interplay between biomaterial rheology and bioprinting resolution. Dr. Miri leads a research team at NJIT focused on biofabrication and microfluidics, though specific student advisees are not listed in the provided information. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in the development of multi-material and multi-scale tissue constructs.
